BIA launches newest nonstop offering

BANGOR, Maine — Allegiant Air officially launched its latest offering from Bangor International Airport on Friday.

Nonstop flights to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Florida will operate twice weekly, with service on Mondays and Fridays. Flights depart Bangor at 6 p.m. and arrive in Tampa Bay at 9:40 p.m. Flights leaving Tampa Bay depart at 1:55 p.m. and arrive in Bangor at 5:20 p.m.

Bangor to St. Petersburg-Clearwater is the second nonstop offering from Allegiant, which launched its Orlando service at BIA in November 2007.

“We are extremely pleased to offer the Bangor community yet another Florida vacation destination,” said Maurice J. Gallagher, CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, the parent company of Allegiant Air. “This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we launch the only low-cost, nonstop service between Bangor and the Tampa Bay area.”

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The St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is considered the most popular vacation destination on Florida’s West Coast. The area was named among the top beaches in the United States, and also offers visitors amazing golf courses and award-winning resort and dining experiences.

“The new service presents a tremendous opportunity for both inbound and outbound tourism for both communities,” Rebecca Hupp, airport director of Bangor International Airport, said. “We look forward to working with the various stakeholder groups to ensure the success of this new route and to build upon the tremendous successes of Allegiant’s Orlando service.”

Allegiant also offers airfare-and-hotel packages with 20 area hotels in Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. More information is available online at www.allegiantair.com.